Washers and dryers rarely fail out of nowhere. More often, a part wears down a little with every load until one day the drum won’t spin or the clothes come out damp, and a small problem has become a bigger repair bill.
The cause is usually a habit, not bad luck. You’ve probably read plenty of washer dryer maintenance tips that tell you what to do. This post covers what to stop doing, the specific parts each habit wears out, and what our technicians see when those parts finally give out.
What are washer and dryer habits that shorten its life?
The five most damaging habits are overloading the drum, using too much detergent, ignoring a machine that rocks or bangs, letting lint build up past the screen, and skipping the pocket check. Each one adds strain to parts like bearings, pumps, belts, and heating elements that wear out long before the machine should.
Here’s how each habit does its damage, and the easy fix for each.
1. Overloading the drum
It’s tempting to cram in one more towel and save a cycle. The problem is that the extra weight doesn’t just sit there. It spins.
What it damages: In a washer, a packed drum puts heavy, uneven weight on the drum bearings, the suspension springs or shock absorbers, and the drive system during the spin cycle. Maytag’s washer and dryer care guide notes that overloading can unbalance the machine and add wear and tear, and clothes also get less clean because they can’t move around.
In a dryer, an overstuffed drum strains the drive belt, the drum support rollers, and the idler pulley. The same Maytag guide warns that a dryer without enough room to circulate air may malfunction or break down, since each load runs longer and the heating parts work harder.
What our technicians see: [TECH NOTE NEEDED: What do our technicians most often find inside washers and dryers that have been overloaded for a long time? Which part usually fails first?]
Do this instead: Load items loosely so they can tumble freely. A good rule of thumb is to leave enough room to fit your hand on top of the load. Split heavy bedding and towels into separate cycles rather than stacking them into one. Running one extra load costs a lot less than replacing worn bearings.
2. Using too much detergent (or the wrong kind)
More soap feels like cleaner clothes, but modern washers are built to work with very little of it. That makes measuring detergent one of the most overlooked washer dryer maintenance tips.
What it damages: High-efficiency washers use less water, so extra detergent creates more suds than the machine can rinse away. Many washers respond by adding rinses or extending the cycle, which means more running time for the drain pump and motor.
The leftover residue is the bigger long-term problem. It coats the drum, dispenser, and hoses, and on front-load washers it collects in the folds of the rubber door gasket. Whirlpool’s washer and dryer maintenance guide points out that detergent buildup can reduce a washer’s cleaning power. Add moisture, and that buildup becomes a home for mold and odors, which can break down the gasket over time.
What our technicians see: [TECH NOTE NEEDED: What signs of detergent overuse do our technicians notice on service calls, such as residue in the dispenser, gasket damage, or drain pump problems?]
Do this instead: Use HE detergent if your washer is a high-efficiency model, and measure by the label for your load size rather than filling the cap. Go easy on liquid fabric softener, which leaves residue too. Maytag also suggests mixing a warm or hot cycle in between cold ones to keep detergent from building up. Run your washer’s cleaning cycle as often as the owner’s manual recommends, and leave the front-loader door open between loads so the gasket can dry.
3. Ignoring a machine that rocks, walks, or bangs
A washer that thumps during the spin cycle or creeps across the floor is easy to ignore. It’s also telling you something.
What it damages: Vibration is hard on the parts that hold the drum steady. A washer that isn’t level, or one that keeps spinning off-balance, puts constant stress on the bearings, the suspension, and the shock absorbers or dampers. Over time, parts can loosen, and a washer that walks can pull on its water and drain hoses.
Stacked washer and dryer units need extra attention here, since vibration from the washer travels straight up into the dryer.
What our technicians see: [TECH NOTE NEEDED: When a customer reports a washer that bangs or walks, what do our technicians usually find, and how often is it simply leveling versus worn shocks or bearings?]
Do this instead: Set a bubble level on top of the washer and adjust the feet until it sits flat, then tighten the lock nuts so the feet stay put. Balance loads by mixing large and small items, and avoid washing one heavy item like a bath mat by itself.
If the banging continues with balanced loads on a level machine, the shocks or bearings may already be worn. That’s a good time to have our washer repair team take a look before a small repair turns into a bigger one.
4. Letting lint build up past the screen
Most people clean the lint screen. Fewer think about the lint that slips past it, which is the kind of detail you won’t find in most lists of washer dryer maintenance tips.
What it damages: Lint that gets past the screen collects in the screen housing, the blower, and the vent duct. As airflow drops, the dryer has to run longer, and the heating element or gas burner works harder to get clothes dry. Whirlpool’s guide notes that lint buildup can slow down the drying process.
That extra heat and run time wears on the heating element, the blower wheel, and the motor. It can also trip the thermal fuse, a safety part that cuts the heat when the dryer runs too hot. When a thermal fuse keeps blowing, restricted airflow is often the reason.
What our technicians see: [TECH NOTE NEEDED: What do our technicians typically find when a dryer comes in with a blown thermal fuse or long drying times? How often is lint behind it?]
Do this instead: Clean the screen before every load. Maytag recommends deep cleaning the screen about every six months, scrubbing off the detergent and fabric softener film that builds up and slows drying. Vacuum out the lint screen slot every so often, and have the full vent duct cleaned at least once a year.
If loads are taking longer than they used to, our dryer repair service includes a vent check, so we can tell you whether it’s an airflow problem or a failing part.
5. Skipping the pocket check
Coins, keys, bobby pins, and hair ties seem harmless. Inside a spinning drum, they’re not.
What it damages: Small metal objects can slip through the gaps in a washer drum and end up between the drum and the outer tub, where they rattle and scrape. Others travel toward the drain pump, where they can jam or crack the impeller and stop the washer from draining. On front-load washers, sharp items can also tear the door gasket.
In the dryer, loose metal bangs around the drum and can chip or dent it. Items like pens, lip balm, and crayons melt and leave stains on the drum that transfer to the next load.
What our technicians see: [TECH NOTE NEEDED: What objects do our technicians most often pull out of drain pumps or from between the drum and tub?]
Do this instead: Empty every pocket before a load goes in. Zip up zippers, fasten hooks, and wash bras and small items in a mesh laundry bag. If your front-loader has a drain pump filter, clean it as often as your owner’s manual suggests, since that’s where many stray objects end up.
Signs these habits have already caused damage
Sometimes the wear is already done by the time you change the habit. These signs usually mean it’s time for appliance repair rather than another DIY fix.
Washer:
- Loud banging or grinding during the spin cycle, even with balanced loads
- Water left in the drum after the cycle ends
- A musty smell that comes back soon after cleaning
- Leaks from under the machine or around the door
Dryer:
- Clothes still damp after a normal cycle
- No heat at all, which can point to a blown thermal fuse
- Squealing, thumping, or scraping while the drum turns
- The outside of the dryer feels unusually hot
Catching these early often means a simpler appliance repair. A worn belt or clogged pump is a lot easier, and usually less costly, to deal with than a burned-out motor.
A simple routine that prevents most of this
Pair these habits with the basic washer dryer maintenance tips in your owner’s manual, and you’ve covered most of what your machines need. Here’s an easy way to break it down:
- Every load: Clean the lint screen, empty pockets, and load loosely.
- Every week: Leave the front-loader door open to dry, and wipe the door gasket.
- Every month: Run the washer’s cleaning cycle (Maytag suggests about every 30 days or 30 wash cycles, whichever comes first) and check that it still sits level.
- Every six months: Deep clean the dryer’s lint screen.
- Every year: Have the dryer vent duct cleaned and inspect the water fill hoses for cracks or bulges.
None of this takes long, and it keeps small problems from quietly turning into big ones.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad to run a washer with a very small load?
It’s not harmful by itself, but a tiny load, especially one heavy item, can throw the drum off balance during the spin cycle. Adding a couple of towels helps the washer spread the weight evenly.
Can too much fabric softener damage a washer?
It can contribute to residue buildup, just like extra detergent. Over time, that residue can clog the dispenser and coat the drum and gasket, so use it sparingly and follow the label.
Should I leave my washer door open after every load?
For front-load washers, yes. Leaving the door open lets the gasket and drum dry out, which helps prevent mold and odors. If you have small children or pets, keep the laundry room closed instead.
How do I know if my washer is overloaded?
If clothes are packed tight enough that they can’t move freely, or you can’t fit a hand on top of the load, it’s too full. Clothes that come out still dirty or tangled are another clue.
When should I call a technician instead of fixing it myself?
Call if a problem keeps coming back after you’ve changed the habit, if you hear grinding or banging, if the washer won’t drain, or if the dryer stops heating. Those usually mean a part has already worn out.
Protect your machines before a part gives out
Most washer and dryer breakdowns build slowly. Treat these washer dryer maintenance tips as a checklist, and your machines will have a much easier time going the distance.
If one of those warning signs is already showing up, our certified appliance technicians can find the worn part and fix it before it takes other parts down with it, which is almost always the less expensive route. We offer appliance repair across Chicago and the North Shore, 7 days a week, and we back our work with a warranty.
Book your appointment online or contact us to get your washer or dryer checked.
